2011: R.I.P. Gil Scott-Heron

For this fan, during year-end reflection, what was one of many favorite moments from this (2010) show -- when Mr. Scott-Heron lamented the loss of life during war, in his hyperpoeticonversationalist near-literalistic, honey-coated grittiness and common-sense moral inscrutability, "Did you hear what they said?" -- is a moment which now, in 2011, has taken on an additional component to its gravitas, which is something you never thought possible, given how beautifully he delivers that meditation. R.I.P. Gil Scott-Heron. I can't believe I was lucky enough to be at this show... After introducing himself by way of easing into his soundcheck, his eternally conversational voice holding us from the very get, he hit the keys, noting that indeed it was a real piano and not a keyb, subsequently launching into a set during which he traded keyb duties and solo duties with some loving sax, percussion, harmonica, flute...suffice to say, he and the crew to which he joyfully referred several times, delivered a performance which, barely begun, instantly manifested that this was a day when a legend was seriously delivering what you hope for, taking over that very stage where I've witnessed more than a few other sets by legends, including Throbbing Gristle and Lynton Kwesi Johnson, all three of these blessed cats turning the hands back on the clock, in the best of ways -- that is to say, whilst also positing and re-affirming their very relevance in the present, making for a triptych of memories on what is my favorite stage (I think it's the same one) at Coachella -- which is saying a lot, insofar as my second favorite stage (and also not the man stage) at Coachella is where I've seen Love & Rockets and Paul Weller -- joined by Johnny Marr, and Johnny Rotten/Lydon/Rotton and Echo & the Bunnymen and Public Enemy, by way of a few quick flashbacks...Safe travels, a serene new year and always pour some out for those not here...R.I.P. Gil Scott-Heron. Eternal respect love and thanks from the countless-faceless-voiceless for telling it like it is, and very certainly giving voice, as it were, and beautifully so, and always with just the right amount of authority, and some gorgeous arrangements. Your alarms will continue to be sounded, and so continues the river of language in which you (amongst several key participants in a Hegelian evolution of an art form) dipped your mind, re-channeling a tributary to a sea of language now eternally flourishing, and touching every shore, in fact. NO NUKES NOW R.I.P. Gil Scott-Heron. Remember to check for Heron's upcoming memoir. NOTE: I am not a bookseller; this is simply a cultural suggestion.

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Music

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• Gil Scott-Heron
• Brian Jackson
• Michael Vazquez